Fall 99 Newsletter Page 4

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The President's Corner

   This year is speeding by quickly, marked by some significant milestones for EHS.  First of all, thanks to June Beal and the Membership Committee, we have a wonderful new Membership Roster for 1999-2000.  We have also increased our membership and continue to build towards our goal of 200 members.

   Our August Summer Event, "Sailing Back in Time" was a sellout, and was fun for all who attended. We are now planning our Holiday Party ... save the date of December 19th for a Champagne Brunch at a great location.

  We have a dedicated and energetic Board of Directors this year. They are already working on a January program, a Millennium speaker, our bi-annual Home Tour, education programs in the schools, and our new web page. Another project underway is the historic rail car presently located at First and C streets as a "Visitors Center" in Old Town or some other appropriate location. 

   We participated in staffing a table for the Old Town Rotary Club's "Festival On the Bay" in September. It gave us the opportunity to enroll new members and provide information about the Society's events and activities.Festival.JPG (14305 bytes)

   Personally I am enrolled in the Historic Preservation course offered through the College of the Redwoods.  It's a much for folks interested in broadening their knowledge of preservation in Humboldt County.

    Lots happening ... our Board Meetings are 5:00 on the second Thursday, generally in the Adoni Center and all members are welcome.    

Click on photo for enlargement                                  -------- Mary Beth Wolford

Update On Eureka Federal Building

   The Federal Building located at Fifth and "H" Streets has been one of the anchor buildings in downtown Eureka since 1909.  This National Register Structure has served the community for many years as the location for the U.S. Postal Service office, as well as the site for several other government agencies.  The postal Service has announced that they will no longer occupy the building and are looking for a new downtown location.  Their decision is reportedly based on an evaluation of the cost to retrofit the un-reinforced masonry structure.

    Since the Federal Building is owned by the U.S. Government, several sequential steps are required by law to identify future use and locate a new tenant.  First, the building will be made available to

another federal agency.  Provided another federal occupant cannot be found, the McKenny Act requires that the building be evaluated for possible use as a homeless shelter.  If it cannot be appropriately used as a shelter, the building would then be offered to other governmental agencies.  Currently, government entities from the State, County, and the City have expressed interest in using the Federal Building.

    All seismic work will have to be completed prior occupancy by a new tenant.  Hopefully, the new tenant will recognize the building's historic contribution to downtown Eureka, as well as ensure its future role in serving the community.

           -Walt McConnell &  Mary Ann McCulloch

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